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Portland, Maine, March 2018 - Creative works from Maine art students will be on display during the month of March at the Portland Museum of Art (PMA). This multi-media exhibition, sponsored by Maine Art Education Association (MAEA), highlights Youth Art Month, a national celebration sponsored by the Council for Art Education. The annual celebration, which typically takes place in March, emphasizes the value of art education for all children and encourages support for quality art programs in Maine schools. This event marks 24 years of collaboration between the Portland Museum of Art and the Maine Art Education Association to celebrate student creativity from kindergarten-12th grade.

The majority of the state is well-represented with 102 artworks by students from 10 counties. Art educators who are members of the Maine Art Education Association select one artwork per school for submission to the exhibition. It is a unique thrill for young people and their families to view student artwork displayed in this prestigious venue.

Guest speakers for the event include representatives from the Portland Museum of Art and honorees as named by the Maine Art Education Association. This year’s Art Advocate of the Year award recognizes the Maine Education Association for long-standing support of arts education and youth creativity. Teacher Deb Bickford from Westbrook High School will be speaking as MAEA’s 2018 Art Educator of the Year.

The exhibition runs from March 1, 2018, through April 1, 2018 on the Lower Ground Floor of the PMA. The celebratory opening reception is Saturday, March 3 from 4:00pm to 7:30pm. Presentation of certificates will start with kindergarten to third grade at 4:30pm, fourth to seventh grade at 5:30pm, and finally, eighth to twelfth grade at 6:30pm.

Please consider scheduling your arrival to allow time to enjoy the exhibition and the museum's collection. The galleries close at 6 p.m. Admission to the Youth Art Month exhibition is free the day of the opening for Youth Art Month participants, their families, and teachers. Children 14 years and under are always free at the PMA. Additionally, the PMA has special family art-making programming, “Stormy Seascapes”, on March 3rd from 12 p.m. - 3 p.m.